Basil: A Reintroduction to Its Thai Dishes
The last time I ate in Basil, it was still a standalone branch in White Plains. I recall entering its dark and intimidating gate which opens up to its colorful-borderline-gaudy interiors which are undoubtedly Thai. Since then, the restaurant started branching out to different cities in the Metro.
POMELO SALAD (P295)
My mom and I decided to take some relatives to Basil’s newest branch in Ayala Malls The 30th. We started out with an interesting version of the Pomelo Salad. In contrast to how it’s typically served, the pomelo chunks are coated in a sweet chili sauce which provides the salad with a more savory flavor. Coconut milk serves as the dressing of choice to give the salad its Thai character. I personally like this new twist Basil has given to this classic salad; however, the dryness of the pomelo chunks made it difficult for me to thoroughly enjoy it.
THAI BAGOONG RICE (P298)
I’ve always been a fan of fried rice, whether it’s the Korean Bibimbap, the Chinese Kiampeng, or the Japanese Mixed Fried Rice, I end up losing track of how much I eat. The Thai Bagoong Rice is no exception. The saltiness of the rice is tempered by the sweet honey glazed pork barbecue pieces and scrambled egg strips. Deliciously tangy Indian mango strips lend a strong bold flavor and serves as a wonderful contrast to the rice.
PHAD THAI (P360)
I love Phad Thai; however, most restaurants churn out mediocre tasting ones. This was why Basil’s Phad Thai was a welcome change. It didn’t deviate from the classic ingredients. You’ve got the flat noodles, the beansprouts, the sweet tofu cubes, peanuts, and chili; however, theirs did not skimp on flavor. You’d definitely be fighting over who gets the last bite!
EMERALD CHICKEN (P295)
Basil serves up the classic Pandan chicken under the guise of what they call the Emerald Chicken. This is a dish that is either a complete hit or miss. As effort is needed to be exerted by diners before they could get to eat this dish, it better be worth the trouble. Unfortunately, theirs was a bit dry and bland. The chicken pieces were in dire need of a sauce as no trace of the marinade can be tasted.
BEEF BASIL (P365)
The Beef Basil definitely doesn’t hold back on basil as it fills up half of the plate. The tender beef strips have a slight sweetness to them which tastes amazingly with the basil. Likewise, as the basil leaves are soaked in the sweet sauce, you’d find yourself scooping these greens onto your plate.
CRISPYFISH WITH 3 FLAVOR SAUCE (P825)
The Crispyfish with 3 Flavor Sauce is a dish that proudly showcases a beautifully balanced harmony of flavors. You have the sweet chili sauce as your main base; however, sweet tangy vinegar is also added to the mix to make things more interesting. This sauce then is generously drizzled on crunchy fish fillets. It looks and sounds simple, but it tastes spectacular. However, I do find this dish overpriced. It’s definitely delicious; however, I believe that the price can still be shaved a bit more.
Droolworthy Dishes: Phad Thai and Beef Basil
Basil
GF Ayala Malls The 30th, 30 Meralco Avenue, Ortigas, Pasig
Date of Visit: April 28, 2017 with Lily Chua, Beth Chua, Susan Tan, and Tiffany Tan
